Judge rejects same-sex marriage ban

From Times Wire Reports

A county judge struck down the state's decade-old same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional and ordered local officials to process marriage licenses for six gay couples.

Gay couples from anywhere in the state could apply for a marriage license from Polk County under Judge Robert Hanson's ruling. Less than two hours after it was publicized, two Des Moines men applied for a license, the first time the county had accepted a same-sex marriage application. The approval process takes three days.

Gary Allen Seronko, 51, was listed as the groom on the form and David Curtis Rethmeier, 29, the bride. The county is appealing Hanson's ruling.